By Uche Amunike
As part of the upcoming ‘ARISE Happy Hour and Evening of Rewards to be hosted by Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State, February 6, 2025, the best-performing civil servants across all ministries, departments and parastatals in the state will receive N1million each.
Speaking, through a statement released by the Chairman of the Organizing Committee and Secretary of the State Government, Enobong Uwah on Wednesday, he announced that the public servants would be rewarded for their dedication and excellence.
They were nominated during the ministerial briefing held in the state in December 2024.
Apart from honoring the deserving civil servants, Governor Umo Eno will also disburse N300m to 400 trained female youths under the Ibom LED Entrepreneurship Accelerator Program with each of the beneficiaries receiving N750,000 each.
According to Uwah, other awards will be featured, including recognition for the best performing Local Government Areas from Christmas unplugged 2024.
The statement partly read: ‘Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, is set to host an electrifying ARISE Happy Hour and Evening of Rewards, a night of music, recognition, and celebration, featuring a special live performance by Africa’s highlife king, Flavour.’
It further explained that the event is set out to provide top-tier entertainment, while showcasing the commitment to Governor Ume Uno’s administration towards empowering and rewarding the people of Akwa Ibom for their hard work.
The statement also explained that governor Umo Eno will honor individuals and groups who have shown excellence in their respective fields with special focus on female youths, whom his administration considers the state’s greatest cheerleaders in its support structure.
Fifty winners of the ARISE Home Farmers’ Scheme will also receive N500,000 grant each, while outstanding athletes from the 2024 governors cup will be honored with special rewards.
Uwah described the event as an exciting evening designed by the governor to reward hard work.
Meanwhile, an opposition party in the state, African Democratic Congress (ADC), has apologized to Governor Eno over claims that the state government was hiding the names of the contractors handling the projects, while also claiming that over N500m was rumored to be the cost of each unit. He further stated that the governor personally handles contracts and collects kickbacks from it. He also said that Gov Eno collected N2bn as kickback for constructing Uyo Village Road and dared him to react to the allegations.
A retraction has however been issued by the ADC spokesperson, Manfred Ekpe, where he tendered an unreserved apology, while stating that he was directed by his superiors at the national level.
Before that, Ekpe claimed that the ADC was merely asking the governor to clarify those misinformation and doubts in the minds of the public, claiming that they were not pointing any accusing fingers to the governor.
Spokesperson to Governor Eno, Ekerete Udoh, however issued a statement on Monday, dismissing the claims by the ADC as falsehoods.
His words: ‘All contracts in Akwa Ibom State are awarded through the Finance and General Purpose Committee, which serves as the procurement warehouse of all state projects, after which the projects/contracts are approved by the State Executive Council, in line with budgetary provisions.’
‘The governor does not and cannot unilaterally award contracts even if such a contract is within the limit of the approvals which the law allows the Governor.’
He maintained that it was libelous and false, so have linked the governor to any form of kickback, adding that Governor Eno will take legal action against Mr. Ekpe.
